Septic tank owners will tell you that the one thing they fear perhaps more than anything else is a septic tank backup. Septic systems are meant to collect the waste from your home in a tank separate from the house – and unlike a sewer system, it’s not a bottomless pit. When there’s a backup, your waste is traveling in the opposite direction that you want – and that can be a huge problem.
As you can imagine – there are considerable aesthetic issues that come along with a septic tank backup, more both more pressing and concerning are the potential health risks associated with them. As a tank owner, you’ll want to do everything you can to avoid these issues. Here are some of the most common causes of a septic tank backup and what you can do to avoid them. Let’s jump right in!
A full tank
While your tank will do work independently, it doesn’t mean you can neglect it. While a septic tank will break down waste, it will also create a small layer of sludge at the bottom of the tank that needs to be pumped out regularly. When you don’t pump the tank, it can cause overflow and backup – neither of which you want.
Clogged lines
The second big reason for a backup is well, a backup. Believe it or not, tree roots can often be a cause of this issue largely because they have the ability to spread in any direction and regularly invade pipe systems. Other times, it’s because you’re not being careful about what you’re throwing down the drain. As you move forward, you always want to make sure you’re being mindful of what is being put into your system and what could potentially be invading it.
Harsh chemicals
This goes hand in had with what we were just discussing, but you need to be careful about the kinds of chemicals that are going down your drain as they’ll negatively interact with the bacteria you need to have in your tank in order for it to break down waste. Good bacteria breaks down solid waste while harsh chemicals and household cleaners can kill the bacteria that you need in order for your septic tank to work properly. Keep cleaning chemicals out of your septic tank.
And above else, if you own a septic tank, be sure you’re on some sort of regular, ongoing, preventative maintenance plan. This way, you’ll get out ahead of issues like the ones we’ve mentioned above; allowing you to avoid problems before they become significant issues. Trust us when we tell you – a little prevention can go a very long way! Good luck!